STEPH’S VET HINTS

VOMITING

Pick up water for at least 2 hours, then offer small amounts (e.g., 2 oz. every 30 min) to see if stays down.

Okay to fast 6-24 hours, possibly feed bland diet for 1-2 days. Single dose of Pepto Bismol may help.

Occasional regurgitation (food), no big deal.

See vet if vomiting continues in spite of resting stomach or if pup very depressed.

To induce vomiting when consumes unwanted object/food – give hydrogen peroxide (1 tbsp for 30 lb pup; 2 tbsp 60 lb pup). Will usually have dramatic effect within 10 minutes – get outside! Repeat once in 20 minutes if hasn’t vomited.

DIARRHEA

Watch for stool changes – hint of problem to come!

Often frequent, liquid diarrhea (with or without a few drops of blood/mucous) – pups have no control – the trots! Confine in crate or tie-down – take out often. No public outings until normal stool!!! On short walk, may have to offer opportunity to defecate.

Continue to offer water.

Fast for 12-24 hours (9 months or older), fast 3-12 hours (under 9 months) to allow the GI tract to rest.

Pepto Bismol liquid – Give 1 tbsp three times a day as needed (30 lb. pup); give 2 tbsp three times daily as needed (60 lb. pup). Do not continue to give if no BM in last 12 hours. Okay to repeat if subsequent BM’s are soft. It may turn BM’s black.

Immodium tablets (generic = loperamide, 2 mg.) – prefer only in pups 6 months and older. For 45 to 80 lb. pup, give 1 tab initially, then ½ tab every 12 hours until diarrhea controlled or no BM in 12 hours.

Bland diet for 2 to 4 days until stools back to normal. Options:

White rice and chicken/turkey breast (1:1 or 2:1 ratio)

White rice and low-fat cottage cheese (1:1 or 2:1 ratio)

Hill’s I/D diet – cans

Offer 3-4 smaller meals daily to begin with.

See vet if diarrhea doesn’t start to subside in 12 hours, if increasing amounts of blood in stool, pup won’t eat for 24 hours, or very depressed. May be able to drop off stool sample for fecal test and antibiotics.

Conversions: 1 ml = 1 cc 1 oz = 2 tbsp 1 tbsp = 3 tsp 1 tsp = 5 ml

LAMENESS

Note which leg and when it started. Record/report on monthly report!

Rest your pup! No outings.

If non-weight bearing for 24 hours, see your vet.

If favors leg, but getting better each day with rest, monitor for 3-7 days. Can call Julie at GDB for guidance.

BEE STINGS

Remove stinger if visible.

Monitor gum color – should be pink, not pale! (shock)

Monitor swelling, especially around the head – concern for airway.

Common to get fat lips/swelling/cellulitis.

Benedryl (diphenhydramine = generic, OTC usually 25 mg) dose is 1 to 2 mg. per pound every 8 hours. Give low end for itchy dog, give high end if swelling present. (i.e., 50 lb. lab gets 4 capsules(100 mg) after beestings with some lip swelling). Side effect = sleepiness.

Emergency visit if at all shocky (pale gums, weak) or swelling continues to increase.

Especially common late summer and on warm fall afternoons (bees are sluggish and very attractive to curious pups!)

HEARTWORM REMINDER EMAILS http://heartgard.us.merial.com/home/ and go to reminder services.

FILTH EATING

Can be career ending habit. Best way to treat it is prevention!!!

Try not to have pups watch you pick up stools – they get curious and think they should pick it up too.

Pick up stools in yard daily – avoid temptation for pup, decrease environmental contamination.

Try and avoid yard areas with cat feces – dogs love them because of the higher fat content of cat food/stools and will often eat them. This can start a bad habit.

Work on corrections/contact group leaders as soon as filth eating occurs. Early intervention is best!

Try to actively relieve your pup on leash for BM’s – then you can quickly exit the area and prevent interest by the pup.

SLUG BAIT

Bad news for dogs! Causes stimulation of the nervous system leading to tremors, salivation and eventual seizures. Needs medical supportive care to attempt survival. Pups will eat it – especially like the taste of the granules.

EYES

Home treatment/observation(happy dog) – mild discharge/whitish mucous(often triggered by dust, wind, beach trip) – can flush eyes with saline/boric acid eye wash.

Regular vet visit(happy dog) – increasing eye discharge for 2-3 days, green/yellow discharge. Call GDB first.

Urgent/emergency(unhappy, distracted dog) – squinting, constant eye rubbing, cloudy cornea or fuzzy iris, trauma to eye. Call GDB first if time, but seek attention same day noticed. Eyesight may be at risk.

Most common eye injuries – corneal scratches – from sticks & bushes, rough play with other dogs or cats.

HEAT STROKE

Cool dog immediately – hose, wet towel, get rectal temperature down to 103.

Seek medical attention – need treatment with IV fluids and medications to prevent brain swelling. AVOID HOT CARS, YARDS WITHOUT SHADE! Dogs can only cool themselves through panting, they do not sweat.